Periodontal Treatment

why choose GEDC

Periodontics is a highly specialized area of dentistry that treats the area “around” a tooth, including the gums, bone, and supporting ligaments. While modern dentistry has given us healthier, brighter, straighter smiles, more than half of American adults still suffer from gum disease. A healthy-looking smile is often mistakenly equated with good overall oral health, but this is not always the case.

Regular visits with your doctor are the best way of ensuring that your mouth is truly healthy, with access anytime, anywhere to all the periodontal services you need under the same network for easier care. Our dentists are leaders in the field of gum disease treatment — catching it sooner and treating it before it worsens — and utilize modern technology, techniques, and educate you through continuing education to make your visits comfortable. We offer affordable treatment plans — such as cash pay, insurance, financing, and CareCredit — to help you live a healthy lifestyle, and Be Your Own Kind of Great.

What to Expect at an Appointment

A consultation is provided, and X-rays are done, if needed

Treatment and the post-operative recovery process are discussed; this includes diet limitations and possible bruising

A team member will set up an appointment and go over financing options or insurance with you

Patient friendly

financing options

Whether your dental care is for your family, a new smile for your next interview, braces for your future, or dentures to eat your favorite food, ﬁnancing your dental care at Great Expressions Dental Centers is as easy as smiling.

CALCULATE YOUR PAYMENT

Cost of Treatment

Cost of TreatmentDuring your initial consultation, your orthodontists will be able to determine your cost of treatment based on your specific needs. There are many factors that affect your cost of treatment, including the complexity and severity of your problem and the required length of treatment. The average cost of braces ranges from $3,500 to $8,000, with the national average at about $5,000.

Cost of Treatment

Amount Covered By Insurance

Amount Covered By InsuranceThere are many different agreements between insurance carriers and their subscribers; each contract provides a different benefit. Orthodontic insurance usually has a lifetime maximum for orthodontic services. This benefit is paid as a percentage of the orthodontic fee (diagnostic records, initial fee, monthly payments, etc.) until the benefit maximum has been reached. Contact your insurance company directly to find out more information regarding your orthodontic benefits.

Amount Covered by Insurance

Flexible Spending Account/HSA

Flexible Spending AmountA FSA allows you to set aside a portion of your paycheck to pay for eligible medical expenses. This is deducted from your paycheck, not subjected to payroll taxes, and transferred directly into your FSA.

YOUR ESTIMATED MONTHLY PAYMENT

12 Months

18 Months

24 Months

This payment tool is provided to create an estimate of your monthly cost of orthodontic treatment and is provided to you "as-is." Payments cannot exceed estimated treatment months. For actual treatment costs, please schedule a consultation with one of our board certified orthodontists.

CareCredit®

When you finance with CareCredit, you get the dental treatment you need, with zero down or minimal up-front investment.

Smile Protection Plan®

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Periodontal disease (commonly referred to as gum disease) is a bacterial infection of the gums and bone that, if not treated, can cause you to lose your teeth. For periodontal disease treatment, we have many dedicated periodontal doctors (or periodontists) who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of periodontal disease and other conditions. The most common periodontal services consist of scaling and root planing (“deep cleaning”), crown lengthening, and dental implants.

The health of your gums and surrounding bone or ligaments have become infected and need careful treatment or therapy. Medical research shows that the bacteria in your mouth can also travel through your bloodstream into other organs in the body. This bacterium has been found to increase the risk and severity of other health-related issues, such as:

The goal of periodontal therapy is to preserve your teeth by maintaining and improving your periodontal health, comfort, and function. Periodontal therapy from Great Expressions promotes healing and repairs damage resulting from infection, disease, and pathology.

Healthy gums do not bleed, even during the dental hygiene appointment. Loaded with bacteria, the plaque and calculus can cause an infection where the first sign is bleeding gums. Periodontal disease doesn’t typically hurt until it is in the advanced stages. Bleeding is the body’s way of indicating that something is wrong.

We do a comprehensive exam. This includes periodontal charting, where we take measurements and record the spaces or “pockets” between your teeth and gums. In healthy gums, the pockets measure 1 to 3 millimeters in depth, and there is no bleeding. Deeper measurements or pockets that bleed indicate a problem. We look for bone loss on your X-rays, and we note any loose and missing teeth, or areas where your gums have receded. Bone is the stable support for your teeth. The infection causes the bone to shrink, causing the teeth to become loose.

If your disease is in the early or moderate phase, we will treat it with non-surgical periodontal therapy. This therapy includes a procedure called scaling and root planing, or “SRP.” Scaling is the removal of plaque and calculus with a scaler. Root planing is therapeutic (relating to the treatment of disease). It is a more involved procedure and consists of removing the bacteria and toxins from the pockets around your teeth.

These procedures may take more than one visit, depending on the extent of your disease. In many cases, we use anesthetic, so that you are comfortable during the procedure. We will also flush the debris out of the pockets with medication and apply a local antibiotic to help you fight infection.

Once your initial phase of treatment is completed, you will need to return more frequently for periodontal maintenance. At these appointments, we closely monitor and reevaluate your condition, and remove the destructive bacteria at the bottom of the pocket where normal brushing and flossing at home do not reach. This may include additional “site-specific” SRP and an antibiotic where indicated.

Since periodontal disease is episodic, your course of treatment may be modified in order to keep your disease under control. The modifications largely depend on your response from therapy and home care. If we are unable to control it in our office, we will refer you to a periodontal doctor who will evaluate your condition for possible surgery.

Prophylaxis, or your “regular cleaning,” is done to prevent disease. It is for healthy gums only. Once you have periodontal disease, more aggressive treatment is needed in order to get it under control.

Periodontal disease is a bacterial infection. It can spread throughout your mouth and into other parts of your body, compromising your overall health. If left untreated, you could lose your teeth. Gums generally respond best when treated in the early phase of the disease, so it is important that you get treatment as soon as possible.

Physicians and surgeons commonly request that a patient have “dental clearance” prior to any type of surgery. This is due to the possibility that the bacteria can travel throughout the body and cause an infection at the site of the surgery.

After treatment, some bacteria do remain. These bacteria reproduce and can reach destructive levels again in as few as 90 days. It is very important to return for your regularly scheduled periodontal maintenance appointments, so we can monitor your disease.

Getting it under control is the first step in an attempt to prevent its progression. Unfortunately, there is no cure for periodontal disease. As always, talk with your dental care professionals if you have any questions or concerns.

What you do at home is extremely important. Up to 70 percent of your success in maintaining your disease depends on your home care. Many times, after periodontal therapy, the gums will begin to heal. In order to maintain this, your habits will need to change at home. This may include more frequent flossing, using a power toothbrush, and other recommended oral health care aide products to help remove the plaque more effectively.

patient success stories

I hadn't seen a dentist in 6 years and was scared to go to the dentist. I got in the same day I called! The staff was very kind, attentive, and thorough.

- GEDC Patient

One of the single best dentist appointments I've ever had. The entire staff was helpful, kind, and understanding.

- GEDC Patient

From the front office team to the hygienist to the dental assistants, everyone is nice, professional and goes out of their way to make you comfortable.

- GEDC Patient

VIEW OUR OTHER DENTAL SERVICES

Great Expressions offers a variety of services for all your dentistry needs.

General Dentistry

We specialize in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of a variety of dental conditions.

Great Expressions Dental Centers® branded practices are independently owned and operated in specific states by licensed dentists and their professional entities who employ the licensed professionals providing dental treatment and services. Michigan licensed dentists may not be licensed in identified subspecialties. Office practices may vary and patients should contact the dental office for treatment and service issues. ADG, LLC, provides administrative and business support services and licenses the Great Expressions Dental Centers® brand name to independently owned and operated dental practices. ADG does not own or operate dental practices, or employ the licensed professionals providing dental treatment and services.